Maxen Hook S Toledo | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Maxen Hook S Toledo
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| ROLE: Zone Box/Strong Safety | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 02/03/2025 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2025 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 4.51 seconds (70%*) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bowl Invite: Senior Bowl | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| ROLE: Zone Box/Strong Safety | |
| Last Updated: 02/03/2025 | |
| Draft Year: 2025 | |
| 40 time: 4.51 seconds (70%*) | |
| Bowl Invite: Senior Bowl | |
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SHARE THIS PROFILE:
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| Overall Rating: | 81.4 / 100 | |
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| Average rating of opposition Offense player has faced | ||
| Offense Rating: |
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74% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| QB Rating When targeted: | 68.6 | |
| Tackling: |
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85% |
| Run Defense: |
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76% |
| Coverage: |
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74% |
| Zone: |
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75% |
| Man/Press: |
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69% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
7th
Overall Rank:
#240
Position rank:
#42
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| College Games: 47 College Snaps: 2606 | ||
ESPN RATING: 72/100
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247 RATING: 77/100
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RIVALS RATING: 5.2 (85%)
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| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Yusuf Corker - Kentucky |
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88% |
| Beau Brade - Maryland |
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84% |
| Evan Williams - Oregon |
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82% |
Draft Profile: Bio
From two-star recruit to All-MAC stalwart, Maxen Hook's journey epitomizes the gritty determination that defines him as a player. The New Palestine, Indiana native transformed himself from an overlooked prospect into a defensive cornerstone for Toledo, racking up three straight All-MAC selections while evolving into one of the conference's most reliable last lines of defense. Hook's combination of cerebral play and physical presence helped anchor Toledo's secondary for four seasons, during which he accumulated over 250 tackles and consistently graded as one of the nation's surest tacklers at his position.Hook's ascension from special teams contributor to defensive captain mirrors his development as a player. After seeing action in all six games during the COVID-shortened 2020 season, he seized a starting role in 2021 and never looked back, earning Third-Team All-MAC honors while posting 95 tackles. The 6'0", 203-pound safety followed that up with back-to-back First-Team All-MAC selections in 2022 and 2023, cementing his reputation as one of the MAC's premier defensive backs despite missing five games to injury in his final campaign.
Beyond the field, Hook distinguished himself as a model student-athlete, maintaining academic excellence while racking up accolades between the lines. His selection to the Senior Bowl caps a collegiate career that saw him evolve from an unheralded recruit into a legitimate NFL prospect who commanded attention from both the Jim Thorpe Award and Bronko Nagurski Trophy watch lists in his final season.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Well developed tackling technique and consistency in space - maintains square shoulders, wraps low at hamstrings, and brings remarkable 6.4% missed tackle rate that ranks among nation's best
- Advanced mental processing allows him to diagnose plays quickly, particularly against play-action and misdirection where his eyes consistently find the ball
- Disciplined run supporter who maintains outside leverage and proper gap integrity while showing strength to shed blocks from larger opponents
- Versatile chess piece with 1,500+ snaps in the box and 600+ as deep safety
- Natural leader who commanded defensive adjustments pre-snap and earned captain status through work ethic and football acumen
- Special teams experience and mentality will translate immediately to NFL game day role while developing defensive skillset
- Exceptional motor and pursuit angles - takes proper paths to the ball and shows relentless effort chasing plays from backside
- Quick trigger downhill against the run with enough explosiveness to shoot gaps and disrupt plays in the backfield
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Limited man coverage skills due to average hip fluidity and change of direction ability when matching routes in space
- Lacks ideal long speed to recover when beaten deep, creating concerns about single-high safety responsibilities at next level
- Ball production often comes from right place/right time scenarios rather than high-pointing and winning at catch point
- Can get engulfed by larger blockers in the box when unable to utilize quickness advantage to slip blocks
- Will occasionally get overaggressive pursuing angles, leading to missed tackles when ball carriers make late cuts
Scouting Report: Summary
After diving deep into Hook's tape, what stands out is a safety who plays with outstanding discipline and awareness, even if he lacks the athletic traits to be a difference-maker at the next level. His processing speed and tackling technique pop off the screen - I watched him diagnose and blow up three different screen attempts against Buffalo like he had the play call in advance. In a league where reliable tackling has become increasingly rare, Hook's consistency in finishing plays will earn him an opportunity.His best path to playing time will come in zone-heavy schemes that emphasize split-safety looks and don't ask their defensive backs to carry vertical routes in man coverage. When Hook can read and flow rather than turn and run, his football IQ shines through. The limitations show up when he's forced to match up in space - I saw him struggle particularly against Ohio State's receivers where his average long speed and hip tightness got exposed on vertical routes.
Let's be clear: Hook is a late day three prospect who needs to prove himself on special teams before earning defensive snaps. But his tackling prowess and football intelligence give him a chance to stick as a backup safety who can contribute in sub-packages. While he may never develop into more than a spot starter, Hook has the makeup of a reliable depth piece who won't make mental mistakes and can be counted on in run support when called upon.
Maxen Hook percentiles vs other Safetys (NFL Combine historically - higher value represents better perfomance)
How other scouting services rate Maxen Hook (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
159.0
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
42.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank
in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance.
For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.